Chemical Name: Sodium Hexametaphosphate
Trade Name: SHMP
Manufacturer: Industrial Chemical Suppliers, Multiple Vendors
Product Use: Water softening, sequestration in detergents, food additives (non-industrial grade), scale inhibition, ceramics, textile dyeing, water treatment
CAS Number: 10124-56-8
Synonyms: Graham's salt, Metaphosphoric acid, sodium salt
Contact Number for Emergencies: Local Poison Control, Manufacturer Emergency Line, 24-hr Chemical Emergency Hotline
GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous for health or environment by GHS standards, yet product can severely irritate eyes and mucus membranes
Hazard Statements: May cause moderate respiratory irritation or gastrointestinal symptoms upon dust inhalation or ingestion; skin dryness and redness can develop
Precautionary Statements: Avoid dust generation, wash hands well after handling, don’t eat or drink while using, keep away from children, never store with acids
Routes of Entry: Inhalation, eye and skin contact, accidental swallowing
Symptoms: Eye burning, nose and throat scratchiness, skin cracking, possible abdominal upset if ingested
Emergency Overview: White, scentless, powder or granular; not flammable but can intensify fire if mixed with combustibles
Main Component: Sodium Hexametaphosphate, ≥ 94%
Impurities: Trace sodium phosphate (varied forms), water, silica at low concentrations
Other Names: Industrial sodium polyphosphate
Molecular Formula: (NaPO₃)₆
EC Number: 233-343-1
Relevant Concentrations: All ingredients falling under disclosure meet strict thresholds, only hexametaphosphate counts as significant
Eye Contact: Rinse with lukewarm running water, eyelids pulled open for 15 minutes, lift contacts if easy, stay away from rubbing eyes, seek medical attention if irritation prevails
Skin Contact: Remove all powder from skin with plenty of tap water, possibly mild soap, take off contaminated clothing, dry skin, see doctor if rash or severe reaction stays
Inhalation: Move affected person outside to fresh air, loosen clothing around neck and chest, check breathing, get medical help for persistent irritation, possible oxygen needed
Ingestion: Drink small amounts of water, avoid vomiting on purpose, never attempt mouth-to-mouth if unconscious, go to hospital right away
Note for Doctors: Treat symptoms, provide supportive therapy, product not acutely toxic but persistent symptoms require observation
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, all suitable since product alone doesn’t combust
Specific Hazards: Produces toxic sodium oxide fumes above 150°C, container rupture from heat possible
Protective Equipment: Full turnout gear, self-contained breathing apparatus for fire, water-resistant gloves and chemical hood
Special Fire Procedures: Move containers from fire area if safe without risk, stop leak if possible without exposure, use cool water spray on outside of drums
Explosion Risk: Not explosive, not sensitive to impact, reacts with strong acids to release toxic gases
Combustion Byproducts: Mainly sodium oxides and phosphorus oxides, avoid breathing smoke
Spill Containment: Shut off sources of dust, close off area, keep upwind, avoid breathing powder, evacuate unprotected people from zone
Clean-up Methods: Dry sweep to non-reactive container, use local exhaust ventilation, keep residue away from drains, don’t use water if large quantity spills
Personal Protections: Dust mask or P2 respirator, safety goggles or face shield, impervious gloves, long-sleeve clothing, closed-toe shoes
Environmental Precautions: Never flush to sewer or waterway, pick up all visible residues, prevent runoff using sand or inert absorbents
Disposal: Collect into sealed drums for proper waste transporter, label appropriately
Safe Handling: Handle in well-ventilated areas, avoid raising dust, don’t mix with strong acids or alkalis, keep food and drink out of work zone, don’t reuse containers for other chemicals
Hygiene Tips: Wash after handling, remove and wash contaminated clothing, keep hands from face until clean
Storage Conditions: Store in dry, roofed, cool room away from rain or wetness, keep away from acids, label all containers, heavy bags stored low
Incompatible Materials: Acids, oxidizing agents, moisture, metals like aluminum, magnesium
Storage Life: Stable for one year if unopened and dry; humidity causes clumping, reactivity
Workplace Exposure Limits: No official OSHA PEL or ACGIH TLV; keep airborne dust below 5 mg/m³ for comfort and safety
Engineering Controls: Local exhaust hoods at dust-generating points, closed handling systems for bulk transfer, enclosure for mixer and conveyor
Personal Protective Equipment: Tight-fitting safety goggles, face shield for bulk work, chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile, neoprene), coveralls, dust mask or half-face P2 respirator
General Practices: Emergency eyewash stations and showers accessible, use only for Shift Work, keep PPE handy, never mix with other chemicals outside lab
Physical State: Fine white powder, sometimes granular
Odor: Odorless
Molecular Weight: 611.77 g/mol
Melting Point: Above 600°C (decomposes)
Dense: Bulk density 0.7 – 0.9 g/cm³
Solubility: Readily breaks up in water, generates near-neutral solution
pH (1% Solution): 5.0 – 8.0
Vapor Pressure: Not applicable
Evaporation Rate: Not volatile
Flash Point: Not flammable
Autoignition Temperature: Not self-igniting
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling)
Appearance: Uniform, clear or off-white granules or powder, no visible lumps if kept dry
Chemical Stability: Stable under standard temperatures, dampness triggers slow hydrolysis
Incompatible Materials: Acids (release phosphoric acid), alkalis (further breakdown), metals like magnesium, sharp oxidizers, water causes clumping
Hazardous Reactions: Exposes hydrolysis to orthophosphates and pyrophosphate, don’t mix with other chemicals in uncontrolled conditions
Decomposition Products: Turns to sodium phosphates, sodium oxides, phosphorus pentoxide with heat
Polymerization: Not a risk
Special Factors: Absorbs water from air, keep packages tightly closed
Acute Toxicity: Oral LD50 (rat): 3053 mg/kg, low acute toxicity
Chronic Exposure: Regular contact dries out skin, possible irritation, repeated exposure not linked to long-term diseases by available studies
Skin Sensitization: Not recognized as skin allergen, may crack or redden skin with continuous exposure
Carcinogenicity: Not listed as a carcinogen by IARC, NTP, ACGIH or OSHA
Other Health Effects: Eye contact burns or stings, ingestion in large amounts upsets digestion, breathing dust causes coughs and throat tightness
Medical Conditions Aggravated: People with asthma or chronic respiratory conditions might have symptoms triggered by dust
Aquatic Toxicity: LC50 (fish, 96h): approx. 100 mg/l, low to moderate hazard for aquatic life in high dose
Degradability: Gradually breaks into orthophosphates by natural bacteria in water
Bioaccumulation: No significant build-up in living tissue, passes quickly through the food web
Mobility: Moves easily in water, can raise phosphate levels in streams and lakes
Other Risks: Excess discharge causes algae blooms in natural water, disrupts local ecosystems at high concentration
Precaution: Keep away from rainwater, never flush bulk spills to stormwater or creeks
Waste Management: Collect waste into secure, labelled drums or bags, keep away from incompatible and flammable waste
Methods: Use licensed industrial waste collectors for disposal at permitted sites, don’t dump on open land
Small amounts: Dissolve in plenty of water and send to chemical sewer (site must accept phosphates), check local regulations
Container Disposal: Empty bags fully, don’t reuse for other products, puncture or crush and send to landfill as non-hazardous solid waste
Regulatory Note: Consult country-specific requirements for phosphate waste management
UN Number: Not assigned, product doesn’t require hazard placarding under ADR, IMDG, IATA
Proper Shipping Name: Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Industrial Grade
Hazard Class: Not controlled for transport
Packing Group: Not regulated
Special Provisions: Ship in dry, sealed packaging; keep separated from acids or food cargos
Label Requirements: Ordinary “Chemical, Not Dangerous for Road/Rail/Sea/Air” label
Reference Codes: Not classified as marine pollutant, special marking unnecessary
OSHA: Not listed in standard OSHA regulated substances
TSCA: Registered and in compliance for industrial uses
ECHA/REACH: Registered, meets European limits and regulations
Canadian WHMIS: Not classed as hazardous
Label Elements: Keep out of reach of children, avoid generating dust, read MSDS before use
International Controls: Not on major restriction lists; consult local authority for site-specific limits
Additional National Requirements: Product use, storage, bulk handling or disposal might fall under phosphate discharge and pollution controls, review state or municipal ordinance
